Nutrition and Metabolism Overview

These flashcards cover key concepts related to nutrition and metabolism, including definitions and important terms necessary for understanding the subject matter.

Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)

The energy needed at rest to maintain life-sustaining activities such as breathing, circulation, heart rate, and temperature.

Kilocalorie

A unit of energy equal to 1000 calories; often used interchangeably with calorie in food contexts.

Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR)

The amount of energy needed to maintain internal bodily functions while at rest over a 24-hour period.

Nutrient Density

The proportion of essential nutrients in relation to kilocalories in food.

Monosaccharide

The simplest form of carbohydrates, consisting of single sugar units (e.g., glucose, fructose).

Disaccharide

Carbohydrates composed of two monosaccharides and a water molecule (e.g., sucrose, lactose).

Polysaccharide

Complex carbohydrates made up of long chains of monosaccharides (e.g., starch, glycogen).

Complete Protein

Proteins that contain all essential amino acids in sufficient quantities to support growth and maintain nitrogen balance.

Incomplete Protein

Proteins missing one or more of the nine indispensable amino acids, typically found in plant sources.

Nitrogen Balance

A state where nitrogen intake equals nitrogen output, crucial for growth and tissue repair.

Essential Fatty Acid

A fatty acid that must be obtained from the diet, such as linoleic acid.

Water Soluble Vitamins

Vitamins that are not stored in the body and must be replenished daily through diet (e.g., vitamin C, B vitamins).

Fat Soluble Vitamins

Vitamins that are stored in fatty tissues and the liver and can accumulate to toxic levels if taken in excess (e.g., vitamins A, D, E, K).

Malnutrition

A condition resulting from inadequate intake or absorption of nutrients.

Dysphagia

Difficulty swallowing, which can occur due to various medical conditions.

Enteral Nutrition

Nutritional support provided through a feeding tube placed in the gastrointestinal tract.

Parenteral Nutrition

Nutritional support provided intravenously, bypassing the gastrointestinal tract.

Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN)

A method of delivering nutrients directly into the bloodstream through a central line.

Positive Nitrogen Balance

A state where nitrogen intake exceeds nitrogen output, necessary for growth and recovery.

Negative Nitrogen Balance

A state where nitrogen output exceeds nitrogen intake, often seen in conditions like starvation or severe illness.

My Plate Program

A USDA initiative that provides a visual guide for balanced food choices in a healthy diet.